Lucy sighed for the nth time today. She loaded her things into a cardboard box. Tomorrow's going to be her last day on the job as the thirty-day rule mandated she stays until thirty days are up after she submits her resignation letter.
"Are you sure about this, Lu? I mean, you don't have to leave until the merger is up, right?"
The blonde turned to Levy who looked up from her monitor. Levy volunteered to do her file back up, thankfully. Lucy smiled as she sat on her desk, "Well, there's nothing for me to do anymore, honestly. Chairman Makarov already retired and the merger is really sure to push through now. If it wasn't for me going back to Crocus, I'll sure be reassigned or what." Levy sighed and turned to the direction of the door of the CEO's office. It's already almost noon and Natsu is still missing in action. He didn't call or text the assistant for a heads up. Lucy's calls are left unattended and her texts unanswered.
"I wonder what's up with sir Dragneel. He's still nowhere to be found. Did he say anything?"
It has been three days since he last gave her a call which became a videocall, considering how he managed to figure out she's been crying. Damn, was it so difficult to lie straight to his face especially when his mind being is being clouded with irrational anger which doesn't make sense. Well, watching a feels movie can be quite a good excuse... If only it isn't Natsu. Thank goodness for Mira and Levy stepping up to calm him down. If it wasn't for them, Natsu was so ready to storm and scour the whole continent.
"Anything about a spontaneous trip, maybe? He and the rest of the C-suite is notorious about going away so suddenly, anyway."
Lucy shook her head as she checked her work phone. With him being very chatty about everything, it's highly unusual that he still didn't contact her in whatever form. Lucy went to work on her tablet and responded, "Nope, he didn't. I'm not really sure where he is. Mira said he didn't come over for breakfast. I wonder if Ms. Scarlet and Mr. Fullbuster know about his whereabouts." Levy snapped her hand and smiled triumphantly, "Done. All good, Lu." She smiled to the other girl as she thanked her. Levy walked, getting ready to go back to her work station. "You might want to check on our other bosses, though. Maybe they went somewhere." Which is unlikely but not unheard of. Though, Natsu also tends to give her information on where he usually is.
"Alright. Maybe, I'll stop by Erza's-- Wait."
Levy and she turned to the ringing telephone. Lucy picked it up and quickly answered, "Fairy Tail's CEO Line. How may I help you?
"Quick question, schatzi. Do you really prefer guys with boring hair?"
What? Lucy confused, asked in return, "What is this about, Natsu? Where are you?" She can hear familiar voices on the other line, suspiciously stopping Natsu from whatever bad idea he's going to do. "I'm on the way somewhere-- Anyway, hair?" The blonde turned to Levy who shrugged and silently waved goodbye.
"I'm okay with whichever. Where are you, Natsu? You're not going to do something stupid again, are you?"
Natsu whined, "What? I'm not going to do something stupid. I'll be back and see you soon. Anyway, are you sure about whichever?" Lucy rolled her eyes as she twirled the nearest pen her left hand can reach. What is this about? Why is her boss talking about hair? "Natsu. You know that we have to sort everything out before I can leave tomorrow." She vaguely heard a 'Right, Flamehead. Is this is even relevant?'. So, he's with Gray. Followed by a 'Natsu, don't be stupid.', he's definitely with Erza. What the hell is happening?
"You think, I'll look better with black? Not that I want to dye my hair."
Black? Black hair? Oh no, Natsu. He'll definitely be dyeing his hair. She scrunched her brow at the thought. Natsu can really be impulsive and this can become a major headache. However, she can't help but admit that times like this makes her think how adorable Natsu can be. Lucy sighed and sadly answered, "Natsu. You're perfect the way you are, m'kay? Just get back here, already. I haven't seen you today yet and we have things to do." She meant it. She knew she meant that about her not seeing him yet and wanting to. She can predict him shrugging and smiled to herself. Lucy knew him quite accurately. His mannerisms, his automatic responses and his reflexes. She knew him too much.
"Alright. Are you sure you don't want to see me with black hair? Like, you know, Zeref?"
She giggled despite the ache in her chest. "No, Natsu. Zeref looks like your mother. You got your hair from late emperor. Besides, do you want me to dye my hair black?" Natsu hummed and responded, "Up to you. Though, you look beautiful just the way you are and in any color, schatzi. Anyway, I'll be back soon. Bye, Luce!" Then, he hung up. Just like that. Without even waiting for her reply. And just like that, her heart raced then turned cold.
She placed the telephone on the receiver and stared at the CEO office's door. Ever since she came into terms of her feelings for him almost three days ago, gestures like this has reduced her heart into as fine as sand. If he noticed, that she didn't know but he hasn't really been that present ever since he got discharged from the hospital. Small mercies for events which he has to go to which don't require her presence.
Still, Natsu Dragneel can ever be an oblivious idiot and her heart jumps at every show of affection. Dammit.
"I told you, it's going to be a bad idea."
Erza grabbed the back of Natsu's collar and dragged him away from the hairdresser's demon clutches. She pulled him towards the exit as Gray followed behind snickering, holding three cups of coffee. Apparently, they missed checking the clock this time, being away for a short trip away in Hargeon and ended up missing a whole night of sleep and empty phone batteries.
"Come on, Flambrain. Enough of your stupidity. You're gonna end up bald with that."
Natsu glared at the ravenhair as Erza almost dumped him on the pavement. Erza received a coffee cup and drank as she placed her left hand on her hip. "Now, stay put. Jellal's coming to pick us up. If only you didn't rush out, we wouldn't be wasting time like this. I'm pretty sure Lucy's going to get pissed at you for not contacting her sooner." Natsu downed the americano as he responded to Erza's reprimand, "Ah, she knows I won't get myself in trouble."
"But you almost did, dipshit."
"What's that, ice princess?"
"At least, I ain't stupid."
"Who r'you callin' stupid, you--"
Erza gave both men an intense, demonic glare as both shuddered. If they were any younger, they would have sported large head bumps right now. The redhead sighed as she glanced on her wristwatch. An hour before noon and the clouds are darkening. It's going to be real cold soon, too with winter approaching. Rains in November suck, for sure. "Ah, I miss Happy." Both turned to Natsu as he sipped on his coffee. How Happy is still alive despite being this old, they didn't know. The cat have appeared just a year after Natsu graduated from college and how he stayed alive, no one knows. Not that they're not thankful, though.
"So, Natsu, what made you think going black is going to be a good idea?"
Natsu shrugged as he watched vehicles and busy townsfolk traverse the busy streets of uptown Magnolia. Gray silently waited for his reply in anticipation. This had been a hot topic for Natsu after they dropped suggestions about his secretary's rhetoric ideals for dating. And, his reaction has been a bomb. Natsu Dragneel caring enough for his appearance is one big atomic bomb ticking. "I don't know, I want some change." Oh, right. Fucking generic, as usual.
Both know Natsu isn't stupid. He just doesn't want to try hard and come up with sensible responses to questions he doesn't want to answer. It's just the way he is even before. However, it's not as if both of his childhood friends still didn't figure shit out. They're just painstakingly waiting for his confirmation. The idiot. Erza can almost feel the desperate urge to punch the answers out of him but they have to be patient or else he'll just cave in. Natsu hates to spell out everything verbally. He'd rather walk the talk and stupidly just forget about the talk. It's like dancing around with Natsu's hellfire. Goddammit.
Gray crossed his arms after throwing his empty cup into a nearby bin, "You never wanted change like this before. What cockroach invaded your system?" The pinkette just shrugged. See? What normal person just answers like this? After a long silence, Natsu softly muttered, "I don't know. I just want to see Lucy happy enough not to leave." Erza sighed as she placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder, "Of course, Natsu. We all want her to be happy but if leaving can make her happier, then--"
"I know. She has to but it doesn't mean I want her to leave ever."
Erza smiled as she nodded, "You will be fine, Natsu. It's not as if it's going to be impossible to go and see her. Lucy will just be over... 7 hours away." The pinkette groaned as an incoming bout of motionsickness attacked his system and Gray snickered.
Erza finally sighed in relief as she sat on her swivel chair, having been stuck with her childhood friends for the past three days. Her secretary, Kagura, entered the room and recited all of her appointments and chores but her mind drifted somewhere.
Of all of her orphanage siblings, Natsu remained unmarried and uncommitted.
They thought he was asexual until he started dating randomly when he turned 25. Sure, Gray dropped hints about girls when they were in high school but he just wasn't interested. Then, one of Mira's sibling, Lisanna, asked him to go out in their senior year. Despite being in university, Erza just had to call him to ask for the details, only to find out that they went out for movies and even ended up as friends in the end. When they got to college, Cana started to drop hints about being bi or gay, yet he didn't even bat an eye about being asked whatever he thinks about relationships of the same sex. They thought it was a start that he gave a rather profound answer about doing whatever the hell everyone wants... yet he stayed uninterested.
Until, one strange Saturday night in Slayers' three years ago.
She closed her eyes as she held a hand up to halt Kagura. "Yes, Miss Scarlet?" She smiled as she turned to her secretary, "This is rather personal, Ara, but... What do you think about Natsu and Lucy, and their interaction?" The secretary cleared her throat and answered like her usual no-nonsense manner, "In my opinion, they should just get laid." Erza let out a laugh at her bluntness. "Yes, it's frustrating how they're being thick-headed about their feelings. And the oblivion."
"Maybe, we have to just hit their heads together, Erza."
Erza nodded and considered it seriously, "Hm, right. Then again, Lucy's going to throw a fit and Natsu's going to react badly." Kagura nodded as she thought harder, "How about locking them up?" Seven seconds in heaven? Classic but unlikely. Both stayed silent to think until the door opened after two knocks.
"Hello, Erza. Natsu asked to get the documents about the merger from our end. Are you busy?"
Erza and Kagura turned to Lucy who just arrived. Speaking of the devil. Kagura nodded as Erza smiled, "Good to see you, Lucy. How are you? Natsu's not giving you any headache lately, right?" Lucy shook her head as she responded, "Nah. Nothing I can't handle. He's just being a baby about my resignation." The redhead turned to Kagura who figured about her plan, "How about dating him after your tenure?" Erza almost hit her head, instead. Too blunt!
"D-dating him? Oh no, Kagura. We're nothing like that."
Erza sighed as she remarked, "Kagura, please check the files in the shelves, farthest left." The dark-haired secretary nodded and sauntered towards the office shelves. Lucy smiled and scratched her cheek, "So, I heard that you forgot to charge your phones?" The redhead nodded, "Yes. Good thing Natsu used his head and called you before going through the dyeing process." She giggled as she responded, "What's gotten into him? A sudden urge to dye his hair black just like his brother's?" The older lady crossed her arms, "A sudden urge to be stupid randomly, as usual."
"Well... Maybe he wants to impress someone? Been quite long since we heard him taking someone out. Maybe, I don't know, he's interested in someone?"
Lucy tilted her head and blinked, "Impress someone?" The blonde let out a nervous giggle as Kagura handed her two thick folders. She muttered a soft, "It's good he finds someone to annoy then." Erza noticed her expression as Lucy quickly smiled and said, "Well, I'll see you later, Erza! Thank you for this." Then, she walked out of the door and didn't look back.
Did she just... misunderstand?
Erza turned to Kagura and bit her lower lip, "Did I just make Natsu's situation more complicated?" Kagura nodded, "Yes, Miss Scarlet."
Then, the telephone rang and Kagura went to answer it quite nimbly. Her face went slack as she went silent. Erza stared at her as the secretary put the phone back to its receiver. With a grim face, she looked at Erza.
"They've figured something out about the rat."
Hello! I've been really sick the past few days so I haven't really updated. I'm currently stuck writing at Chapter 25
. So, bear with me please. Have a great week!